[Part 1]
You've painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair.
   Ruby, are you contemplating, going out somewhere?
The shadow on the wall tells me the sun is going down.
Oh, Ruby,             don't take your love to town.
 
[Part 2]
It wasn't me that started that old crazy Asian war,
but I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore.
And, yes, it's true that I'm not the man I used to be.
Oh, Ruby,             I still need some company.
 
[Part 3]
It's hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralyzed.
  And the wants and the needs of a woman your age, Ruby, I realized.
But it won't be long I've heard them say until I'm not around.
  Oh, Ruby,             don't take your love to town.
 
[Part 4]
She's leaving now 'cause I just heard the slamming of the door
the way I know I've heard it slam 100 times before.
And if I could move I'd get my gun and put her in the ground.
  Oh, Ruby,             don't take your love to town.
  Oh, Ruby, for God's sake, just turn around.